Lab Write Up

Headings to Include• Title• Date • Purpose/Hypothesis• Procedure• Materials• Observations and Data• Calculations• Results • Conclusions• Questions

Title

• Should describe what the lab is about

• Examples:– Density Lab (good or bad)– Using Density to Determine Unknown Metals

(good or bad)

Date

• Include the day(s) you are in the lab.

Purpose/Hypothesis

• In one or two sentences, describe the purpose of the experiment in your own words, or develop a hypothesis to test.

• Examples:– The purpose of the lab is to watch a reaction– The purpose of the lab is observe the

interaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloride acid.

Procedure

• For inquiry labs, you will design your own procedure. For all other labs you will simply write: See lab handout

Materials

• You will list all equipment and chemicals used during the course of the lab

Observations and Data

• Items in this section should be recorded in chronological order while you are conducting the lab and should include…

• Quantitative measurements such as mass, volume, temperature, etc.

• Qualitative observations such as changes in color, appearances of bubbles, etc.

• Examples:• It was cool looking• 23• 15.2 grams• The substance turned

from a bright blue to a grayish black color

Calculations• In this section, you will analyze your

experimental data.

• Show the formula and all of your work whenever calculations are necessary. Always label each calculation and include units.

Results

• The results of all calculations and observations should be summarized in a Results Table including labels and units for each value.

Time (minutes)

Temperature (Cº)

1.00 10.0

2.00 15.0

3.00 19.9

4.00 25.1

5.00 30.0

6.00 30.2

Temperature of liquid per reaction time

Conclusion• You should summarize your findings. Write

clearly and concisely using complete sentences.

• You should restate the hypothesis or purpose. Using lab data to support your decision either accept or reject your hypothesis if one is available or state whether or not you fulfilled the purpose of the lab.

• Recommend any changes that you should make to improve the lab (need at least 3).

Conclusion • Example:

– As a result of this lab, the density of metal A was found to 7.0 g/cm3.

– The purpose of the lab was to determine the density of an unknown metal and to use the density to identify the metal. As a result of this we fulfilled the purpose by determining the density of metal A to be 7.0 g/cm3.

– Three ways to improve the lab would be: to perform more trials, use larger metal pieces, and use graduated cylinders with more calibration marks.

Questions

• Answer any extra assigned questions in this section.

• Restate the question and answer the questions in complete sentences.